Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 07/21/2010 8:53 AM | Feature A sign read: Spa Baby. Furbished with soft-colored decorations, the place was full of children that weekend. The young customers lounged, staring at mini laptops on cozy sofas.Some were having their nails done. Others had their faces covered with edible yoghurt masks. Next to the beauty outlet, located at Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta, a gym had opened to welcome other young customers. A sign on there read: I Like Gym.There, kids happily exercised with instructors (some with their parents), using mats, balancing bars, monkey-rings, trampolines and a wall-climbing pad painted in kid-friendly colors. Today’s children’s world doesn’t only revolve around chic clothing and expensive toys. It has become more interesting, more fashionable, and more beautiful, partially thanks to gyms, salons and spa services. “Even young children deserve to look and feel good,” says 27-year-old parent Marita Eka, who often takes her five-year-old daughter for creambath and hairstyling sessions. “I sense that she was more excited about getting her hair than getting a new doll. She tells her friends, ‘my hair is clean and smells nice’.”

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 05/03/2010 11:00 AM | FeatureWhen Demi Moore bared her naked pregnancy on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine 19 years ago, sexualizing pregnancy in a revolutionary way, the actress sparked a craze for celebrities to pose while pregnant.Fast forward to today, and more and more mothers-to-be are posing in the buff to make a statement, namely that they are grateful to be pregnant and feeling beautiful as well as sexy in their new body. “You’re not pregnant all the time,” says young mother Agnes Kiki, explaining why she had pictures of herself taken during her pregnancy last year. “Having a ‘bloated body’ like this is momentous. It’s something you should remember for the rest of your life,” she says. While Kiki (and perhaps other people who saw her) thought her body was “bloated”, it didn’t stop her from feeling like the sexiest woman on Earth. Wondering why some pregnant women were not confident about their new figures, Kiki had the idea of capturing her figure underwater. Wearing a simple piece of clothing, she went below the surface, reflecting her inner freedom and gratitude as a pregnant woman.

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 04/23/2010 9:21 AM | Feature If newlyweds could wish for anything on their wedding day, then perhaps it would be to see people leaving their reception profoundly impressed and uttering: “This is the most memorable wedding!” For some, an unforgettable wedding is one that is simply remembered as “beautiful”. For others, however, luxury has become the “it” factor, and all they wish for is to seal their everlasting love with a lavish and stunning wedding. “And why shouldn’t they go for that [kind of wedding]?” says renowned wedding organizer Emil Eriyanto, who has put together many high-end nuptials. “Their wedding is a once in a lifetime moment. If you can afford a lavish wedding, then why not?“Make it the most stunning one,” he adds.Emil recently organized the sumptuous wedding reception of actress Nia Ramadhani and Ardie Bakrie, the son of Aburizal Bakrie — the Golkar party chairman and one of the country’s richest men. Rumor has it that the wedding — said to be this year’s most spectacular — cost up to Rp 100 billion. Emil, who organized the three-day celebration in Jakarta, however, refused to disclose the exact cost of the wedding, out of respect for his clients who do not wish to discuss the matter.

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 04/16/2010 8:46 AM | LifeThese days, it’s quite rare to hear a metropolitan woman confess: “I’m happy to be in the kitchen and cook for my family.” Judging by the 21st century’s women emancipation mantras, it would appear that women associate doing domestic chores with being trapped in certain gender stereotypes. Besides, nothing seems fancier than depicting modern womanhood as a woman in a suit working on a challenging office assignment. So, do aprons and cooking utensils still stand a chance of making modern women feel proud today? Well, for some women, who think it’s fancy to be a kitchen goddess, they definitely do. “I know most metropolitan women today don’t really cook anymore,” says 32-year-old Dilly Kanwar. “So, knowing that I am a good cook would really make me proud. I would say, hey, I can cook!” she laughs. Just like Dilly, 41-year-old Arke Nurdjatni Scharringa believes cooking can bring her a sense of pride as it allows her to share enjoyable moments with her only daughter. “I love cooking because my daughter likes eating so much,” says Arke, vice president of state-owned PT PNM Investment Management. “For me, nothing is more rewarding than finding out she appreciates my cooking — although it’s not as tasty as her grandmother’s,” she adds. With a packed five-day work schedule at the office, Arke is one of a growing number of modern women who realize that cooking isn’t necessarily a home chore. Instead, it’s a perfect way to bring the family together.

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 12/19/2009 1:06 PM | LifeIt's that time of the year again! Time to wrap up presents, bake some cookies and gingerbread men, sing Christmas carols and best of all, decorate your home. Every December, we find ourselves enmeshed in the spirit of Christmas - happy and jolly. So why not reflect this festive spirit by sprucing up our home sweet home with decorations? Christmas, after all, is the right festivity to get those creative juices going. Not to mention it's one of those activities that involves the whole family. So decorating our home for Christmas also reflects the spirit of closeness within our family. "We decorate our home at Christmas to feel the hype of the festivity," says former badminton champion Alan Budi Kusuma. "My children just love doing the decorating, so as parents, we feel it is one of those precious moments when we get together as a family and work as a team to decorate our homes. "So, it's about teaching my children how to cooperate as a family," adds the husband of former badminton athlete Susi Susanti.

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 12/05/2009 1:47 PM | LifeCelebrating Christmas without thinking about giving gifts is hard. Just as hard as not having bright packages beneath the Christmas tree or colorful socks filled with presents. The Christmas festivity may vary from one place to another, but in this modern world, where the Christmas culture has evolved into a tradition of gift-giving, we can see people hit shopping centers or e-retailers to fulfill this seasonal "obligation". The tradition of gift-giving might have been criticized as part of consumerism that takes the essence out of Christmas. Yet, it doesn't stop people from buying and exchanging gifts. "Christmas for my family isn't only about celebrating religion," says television presenter Rebecca Tumewu, or Becky. "It's also about celebrating the festivity and exchanging gifts reflects this." But of course, as she points out, showing the festivity spirit is only at the surface of the tradition. She says the tradition is more about showing love to family and friends. "People might ask why we give gifts at Christmas" Becky says. "First of all, we want to express our love and care, and second, we want to see others happy."

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta| Sat, 05/16/2009 1:58 PM | Life When you hear the word “taxi”, your very first image might be of a pale blue or bright yellow sedan cruising the city streets. But for a moment, let’s toss that image aside: Taxis are going up a few notches, even as high as the sky.

Places to go and more money than time? Take your place in a helicopter taxi or first-class cab.The discomfort, headache and worry of trying to fight through traffic, when you have more important things to do than sit around getting nowhere and doing nothing, can be a thing of the past. With a heli taxi, you’ll reach your destination in the fastest and most stylish of ways. But if time is not an issue, you can take it easy by making the most of being stuck in traffic and hop into a premium service taxi with all its extra services.Ready to try a fine taxi journey? Take your seat and let’s take off with the first comfy ride: heli taxi, or, as it is also called, the helimousine. With a fleet of exclusive Bell jets – one of the world’s best-known names in helicopters – heli taxis answer your need for a quick transfer. Imagine this: You need to be at the airport ASAP, but that infamous Jakarta congestion or flood just won’t get you there on time.

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 09/05/2009 1:02 PM | LifeThere are different places for different tastes. And the fasting month of Ramadan gives us a good excuse to hunt for food that pleases every palate — perhaps without having to feel guilty. Yes, all those of us who are fasting, let’s admit it: Ever since we were kids, the moment of iftar — breaking the fast — has been one of the most exciting things after a whole day of hunger and thirst. For this sundown ritual, it has become a common trend in Indonesia for people to go out in a festive mood and enjoy a lavish buffet or à la carte dishes at hotels and restaurants. Which, when you think about it, means Ramadan could just be the right time a perfect moment for some new culinary experiences. So if you are after a culinary experience, this time pick some eateries that offer more than just delicious fare, and maybe try a change from the hotels. Look for something cool enough for you to have some chit-chat or just to spend some lazy evening hours. Some places you should add to your list are the under-the-stars Barcode Outdoor Terrace, beachside Batavia Sunda Kelapa Marina and feel-like-home The Apartment.

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 08/08/2009 1:49 PM | LifeEvery day, there are birthdays to celebrate, parties to throw, gatherings to organize and wedding ceremonies to hold. Anyone who has ever been to a party of any kind - and that would be pretty much everyone - knows that guests will pass judgment on the event: whether it's been a great success or an outright disaster. Anyone who has ever hosted a party of any kind - also pretty much everyone - might agree that planning and holding an event is never easy. But there is one way anyone can host the perfect event sure to entertain - and be praised by - guests. Consult the experts. Event planners, known better in Indonesia as event organizers, have been around for quite a while. Because since the most important details in the world of events are, well, the details, event planners are prepared and trained to handle every detail an event requires. Offering creativity, knowledge and a dash of style, event planners seek to captivate those who need professional assistance.

Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta| Sat, 07/11/2009 12:01 PM | LifeIf marriage is a journey a couple takes together, perhaps it is fitting for that journey to begin on the move – literally. You surely want your wedding ceremony to be beautiful, perfect — and most of all — memorable. After all, a wedding is (supposedly) a once-in-a-lifetime event, and romance is best served with wonderful and unforgettable experiences. And one way to do that is to try an unusual – and moving – venue.Whether you choose to enter the next phase in your life on a romantic train ride or an exotic cruise, your big day can be truly unforgettable.“For some people, holding their wedding ceremonies at public buildings, houses or places of worship are so yesterday,” says Rikie Tjandra, sales manager for Quicksilver Cruise. “They want something unique and memorable, something with a story they can pass to their children.”